FROM THE SMALLEST DOG TO THE LARGEST MOTORCYCLE – THE INCREDIBLE NEW ENTRANTS IN THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2014 BOOK

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Guinness World Records can today announce some of the amazing new records to have made it into the latest edition of the world’s best-selling book.

Released today, Guinness World Records 2014, recognises an incredible array of international record-breakers including Italy’s Fabio Reggiani, creator of the world’s Largest Motorcycle,and 12-year-old Rohan Kokane, the Lowest Limbo Skater.

The UK’s strong representation includes Nottingham’s James Brown, who lays claim to the world’s Largest Collection of Vacuum Cleaners, and Ozzy the dog from Anglesey, North Wales, who is recognised for the Fastest Crossing of a Tightrope by a Dog ,pictured above.

One of the youngest new record-breakers to make it into the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS book is 12-year-old Rohan Kokane from Belgaum in Karnataka, India. The year-7 student at St Xavier’s High School is recognised for being the Lowest Limbo Skater, achieving a roller-skating height of just 25 cm over a distance of 10 m.

Rohan began roller-skating at the age of 8, harnessing his extreme flexibility early on to specialise in limbo-skating. This skill involves roller-skating under a bar set at a height of just 25 cm, which is shorter than the height of the actual GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS book! Since then, his extraordinary talents have made him local celebrity and seen him perform on TV shows around the world. A member of the Belgaum Roller Skating Academy, he has participated in various skating rallies organised to create awareness of social, educational and health issues.

Rohan’s father Ajit Kokane, owner of an electronics spare-parts shop in the city, and mother Anupama Kokane, say they are “very proud” of their son’s achievement. Importantly, according to his father, Rohan has never neglected his schoolwork, achieving top marks in his year-6 exams.

Rohan, the only member of his family who roller-skates, says that he was inspired to learn after witnessing others perform. He says that he has never been injured, but encourages anyone interested in the activity to seek professional training. He says that his inclusion in the new Guinness World Records book “will bring great prestige my country.”

Measuring 5.10 m (16ft 8.78 in) from the ground to the top of the handlebars, Italy’s Fabio Reggiani has constructed the world’s Largest Rideable Motorcycle. Six times larger than a normal motorcycle, it’s 10.03 m long, 2.5 m wide, and weighs approximately 5,000 kg (5 tonnes).

Led by 32-year-old product designer Fabio Reggiani, it took a team of eight people seven months to build the vehicle. It is powered by a 5.7L V8 engine, running at 280 HP with 3 forward gears plus reverse.

Fabio from Reggio Emili, has recently added additional wheels for stability to the record-breaking vehicle. Though it can ride without the stabilizers, Fabi says that he made the change because he “wouldn’t want to run the risk of it toppling over!”

Fabio says that he never tires of the public reaction to his labour of love, with his favourite response being: “O mamma mia come è grande!!!” [“Oh my mother, how big it is!”]

Fastest Crossing of a Tightrope by a Dog: Ozzy (UK) - 3.5-metre-long rope in 18.22 seconds

Leading the charge for the UK in the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS book is a Border Collie/Kelpie crossbreed called Ozzy, who is recognised for the Fastest Crossing of a Tightrope by a Dog. The 4-and-half-year-old successfully crossed a rope measuring 3.5 m in 18.22 seconds at the F.A.I.T.H. Animal Rescue Centre in Norfolk, UK.

Ozzy was born in Anglesey, North Wales, but now lives in Norwich with his owner, 51-year-old Carpenter Nick Johnson. Nick has no formal experience as a dog training, but says that he learnt techniques on the internet which have proven successful. He says the key to training is “relationship building and really making an effort to understand how your dog ticks”.

Nick continues: “As Ozzy's parents are working sheepdogs on a farm, it’s in his blood to want to work closely with me. Ozzy is most happy when he’s working on the tricks that we do and regards it as a game. We also only practice when Ozzy is in the mood, after he’s done all his important dog stuff, like sniffing around and meeting other dogs.”

On the Guinness World Records achievement, Nick says: “It makes me feel so happy and proud, that Ozzy and I have such a strong friendship and relationship we can work together on tricks and games that get the recognition of Guinness World Records.”

Largest Collection of Vacuum Cleaners: James Brown (UK) – 322 models

Finally, one of the most eccentric new records to be included in the Guinness World Records book comes courtesy of a 33-year-old British man. James Brown from Nottingham is recognised as owning the Largest Collection of Vacuum Cleaners, with, to date, 322 different models in his collection. So vast is his collection that it has enabled him to open his own Vacuum Cleaner museum.

James’ interest in vacuum cleaners started at the age of four, but he had to wait until the age of eight before his parents bought him his first real vacuum cleaner. From that point, his fascination was born and he began collecting.

According to James, most of his collection isn’t valuable due to the nature of the machines being old and fairly common. However, certain machines in the collection are more prized because they are genuinely rare, such as some of the Kirby and Scott & Fetzer machines. Regardless, James says that he would never sell his collection and can’t envisage a day when he would stop collecting.

James says he’s very pleased to have his collection recognised in the Guinness World Records book.

Fastest Human Backbend Walk- Leilani Franco (UK/Philippines) travelled in a backbend position a distance of 20 m (65 ft 7.2 in) in a time of 10.05 sec. Watch Leilani in action here.

Commenting on this year’s new entrants, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday, said: "This eclectic and fascinating selection of record holders perfectly demonstrates the breadth – and the peculiarity – of this year’s book. Where else would you find a vacuum-cleaner collector, a tightrope-walking dog and an oversized motorcycle all in one place? Only in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2014"

"As a Brit, I’m also proud that UK record-holders are so well represented this year with such eccentric and charming record holders".